Heavy Lifting (Part 2 of ?)

I did a quick search online and looked for rabbinic references to moving mountains. Was Jesus drawing on rabbinic thought? I didn't find any. Has anyone seen anything?

Next, I went through the Tanakh looking for references to mountains. Other than part of setting descriptions, I found the prophets use the picture most often. Isaiah talks about the chief amoung mountains. He also talks about preparing the way for the Lord by every mountain being brought low and all mankind will see it. Jeremiah talks about the destruction of a mountain, Babylon. Daniel talks of a rock cut from a mountain that crushes kingdoms and endures forever. I was particuarly struck by Zechariah 4:

"Who are you, O mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of 'God bless it! God bless it!' "

I have been absorbed by the prophet Zechariah for these past few weeks. His words echo in the Gospels in many ways, or is it the other way around? Palm Sunday was last week, the day when Jesus entered Jerusalem the week before his death. The Gospel writers turn to Zechariah 9 when describing this:h

Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!
Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and having salvation,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

The following verses are amazing. Peace is proclaimed. Bows are broken. Chariots are taken away. Were the people thinking this when Jesus entered the city and he wept for Jerusalem? John records that they took palm branches and went to meet him. Why? Did they wave them? I thought so until Kevin pointed out recently at Via that they were laid down, so the Gospels say. So they weren't waved? Why?

All this happens the day before Jesus makes the statement about faith that moves mountains.